Finding a printer that fits in with your businesses unique requirements is not always as straightforward as it may first appear. For instance, will you be better suited with an inkjet or a laser, do you need full colour or can you survive with just black and white? There’s plenty to consider when it comes to buying a printer.

So what are your requirements? Do you have a large office with numerous users all needing access to the printer, or are there just a few in your workplace? How much usage your printer will get is often pivotal in your decision. When volumes are high and speed is of the essence, you should be looking at investing in a laser printer or even a laser multifunction pinter. Not only are lasers able to produce prints quickly, often printing up to 30 full colour pages per minute, but they dry instantly too. This is because they use a dry powdered ink, rather than the liquid inks of an inkjet printer.

If you are looking for a printer that fulfils many requirements, then you should consider a multifunction printer. These handy devices combine the functionality of a fax machine, copier, scanner and printer all in one. Whilst you will be cutting down on the amount of space used, you can also give efficiency a major boost in the process. By being able to scan, fax and print from a single point, employees will need less training and can easily gain access to these functions at any one time. If colour isn’t a high priority and you are looking to save some money, then go for a mono option. For example, if you choose one of the vast range of Mono Laser Multifunction Printers over their colour equivalents, you can expect to save yourself a fair percentage on the initial cost and all other ongoing expenditure. This is primarily due to the more simplistic consumable requirements, in so far as the printer won’t require additional toner or ink cartridges for the colour elements.

A good example of this can be found with the Lexmark X204, which comes with an exceptional specification; including 22 pages per minute print speed, 1200 x 1200 optimised dpi resolution, 64MB memory and a 250 sheet tray. Amazingly you will only have to shell out a couple of hundred pounds to pick up this model, which is next to nothing for a multifunction printer with this specification. A network connection is likely to be one of the most important features that you will be looking for when purchasing a printer for your office. Standard network connection comes in the form of a USB socket, standard on most printers these days; but for those looking for something a little different, why not go for WiFi. This means that all users within range can send their work through to the printer all without wires. Good for office tidiness and efficiency. Perhaps you already have a prefered supplier and brand, or maybe you are on the lookout for something new and different. However, whichever major printer brand you finally settle on, you should expect to receive a decent quality device and after sales service to match. Whether you choose a Xerox Multifunction Printer or a Samsung inkjet, make sure you purchase it from a reputable reseller though. Look for reviews and be prepared to compare a few until you find one that can meet your requirements and offer you a good deal in the process. Only fools rush in, follow these tips to make sure your business gets the best possible printer:

• For better print quality, choose a device with a higher dpi
• Take into account consumable costs and availability for your budget
• Set a budget and keep to it
• Look into resellers and what kind of service they offer
• Define the features that are most important for you
• Size up your businesses printing needs